Beef xì dầu, a beloved dish in Vietnamese cuisine, perfect for any occasion, including Tet. This aromatic and nutritious dish, with its deeply marinated and tender beef, is suitable for all seasons. Explore the flavorsome recipe for making beef xì dầu with Mytour below!
1. Insights into Beef Xì Dầu
Beef xì dầu, commonly stored for extended holidays like Tet, is not only popular in family meals but also ideal for entertaining guests. Indulge in flavorful beef, sip some beer, and share stories—it's a perfect combination.

Spice Infusion: The essence of this dish lies in the distinctive marinating spices, highlighting the natural sweetness of the beef and captivating every palate. Besides its exquisite taste, beef xì dầu is packed with nutritious elements beneficial for health. Beef sirloin contains abundant proteins, minerals, and vitamins that provide energy, prevent cancer, and enhance metabolism.
2. Crafting Delicious Beef Xì Dầu
Crafting flavorful beef xì dầu is incredibly simple. However, achieving the perfect balance of chewiness, tenderness, sweetness, and deliciousness is not an easy feat. Explore the secret recipe for making delicious beef sirloin xì dầu below.
Prepare the Ingredients
| Khẩu phần | Thời gian chuẩn bị | Thời gian thực hiện | Độ khó dễ |
| 3 – 4 người ăn | 30 phút | 30 phút | Dễ |
- Ingredients:
- 500g beef flank
- 3 tablespoons xì dầu, 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 branch ginger, 4 horn peppers, cilantro
- 5 purple onions, half a garlic clove
- 1 pack five-spice powder
- 5g cloves, star anise
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Common spices such as seasoning powder, sugar, MSG, ground pepper

Execution Steps
Step 1: After obtaining the beef flank, remove any excess fat around the meat. Soak the meat in white wine with crushed ginger, then rinse with clean water and let it drain.
Step 2: Clean and thinly slice the ginger. In a bowl, mix 2 cloves, ½ tablespoon star anise, ½ tablespoon cloves, ½ tablespoon sugar, five-spice powder, a pinch of pepper, and 2 tablespoons xì dầu. Use gloves to evenly apply the spice mixture over the beef, wrap it tightly with food wrap, and let it marinate for about 2 to 4 hours.

Step 3: Clean the horn peppers, cut them into 3cm pieces. Peel the purple onions, crush the garlic, and cut off the cilantro roots. Rinse everything with water and let it drain.
Step 4: Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, sauté the purple onions, garlic, ginger, and prepped horn peppers until fragrant. Add 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon xì dầu, and 1 cup of water. Cook until the seasonings dissolve.

Step 5: Unwrap the marinated beef, place it in the pan, cover, and simmer for approximately 25 minutes. Cook until the sauce thickens and adheres to the meat. Turn off the heat, transfer the beef xì dầu to a cutting board. Slice it into bite-sized pieces, arrange on a plate, drizzle sauce on top, and garnish with cilantro.
3. Final product of beef xì dầu
The delightful beef xì dầu boasts vibrant colors and the distinctive aroma of xì dầu, cloves, and star anise. As you savor it, you'll experience the outer layer's chewiness and richness, while the inside remains tender, sweet, and irresistibly flavorful. Enjoy beef xì dầu with bread, hot rice, or as a delightful appetizer—it's delicious in every way.

4. Tips for making the best beef xì dầu
When making beef xì dầu, pay attention to the tips shared by Mytour Blog:
- Choose beef with small, fresh red meat, interspersed with white veins, firm and resilient to the touch. Avoid buying meat that is pale, dark red, or has a foul odor.
- Before marinating, make a few cuts with a knife for quick absorption and enhanced marination.
- When simmering the beef, use low heat to prevent scorching.
- For storing cooled beef, place it in a glass jar, seal tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator's cool compartment. This method also helps the beef retain its firmness and taste.
If you're already enchanted by the tender, fragrant, and flavorful beef xì dầu, make it for your loved ones. Don't forget to follow Mytour for more delicious beef dishes recipes.
